I) Instead, 43-year-old Petr Vabrousek, ae Czech Ironn chaion, is expected to be Wardian''''s closest challeo others orip, sily finishing will be its own reward. Sinead Kane of Ireland is aing to bee the first blind person to plete the challenge. Ah Ann Telford, a 47-year-old federal gover worker froFairfax and the only Ari fele in this year''''s x, is using the event as a platforto raise ney for cer research. It''''s a cause with a persoo Telford, who was diagnosed with brain cer in 2004.“Doing sothing like this is defihe hardest challehat I''''ve ever done except for the chetherapy（化学疗法） and brain surgery," she said.“It''''s going to raise awareness ... I just wao do sothing that is epid this certainly is right up there."Wardian, too, hopes his involvent （包含）will give hia platforto prote a cause. He retly beca an aassador for the United Nations Won''''s HeForShe initiative to fight inequalities faced by won and girls worldwide.
J) On a chilly Deceer afternoon,Wardian wove through Washington''''s crowded
sidewalks on the way ho frohis full-ti job as an iional ship broker（经纪人）. His elastic, 6-foot fra bounced gently aly off the ground with each step of the hilly six-le trip back tton. This is a daily routine during the week for Wardian, who started rag professionally in 2003 and runs seven days a week, often ltiple tis a day. Wheravels, he prefers to explore new places on his feet.
K) But in so ways, Wardian still has trouble thinking of hielf as a runner. For the
jority of his childhood, Wardiaed his energy to being a Division I lacrosse (长曲棍球) player-a dreahe realized when he was recruited （录取）to play at Michigan State Uy. “Once he decides to do sothing, he just works at it until he does it,” Michael''''s younger sister, Mariele, said. “Once he decides to do it, it''''s usually sothing that'''